Headband for travel comfort

ABSTRACT

A headband for travel comfort comprises a compressible, resilient material, such as a memory foam insert. Optionally one or more pads are affixed to the headband. A method of obtaining rest and a method of providing a comfortable environment to a passenger in a vehicle are also provided.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to provisional application No. 61/775,504 filed on Mar. 9, 2013, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a headband for travel comfort, and more particularly, a headband comprising a compressible, resilient material, such as a memory foam insert. An aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of using such a headband.

Passengers often attempt to sleep during transit, such as travel by automobile, train, airplane and the like. However, the confines of the vehicle typically make sleeping difficult, especially if the passenger is unable to comfortably position the head and/or have a darkened environment. Therefore, devices and methods that provide comfort during travel, and thereby decrease the difficulty of sleeping, are desirable and advantageous.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 generally illustrates a front perspective view of an individual wearing an embodiment of the headband.

FIG. 2 generally illustrates a side perspective view of an individual wearing an embodiment of the headband.

FIG. 3 generally illustrates an upper side perspective view of an embodiment of the headband.

FIG. 4 generally illustrates a side plan cross-section view of an individual wearing an embodiment of the headband.

FIG. 5 generally illustrates components of an embodiment of the headband.

FIG. 6 generally illustrates a front perspective view of an individual wearing an embodiment of the headband.

FIG. 7 generally illustrates a side perspective view of an individual wearing an embodiment of the headband.

FIG. 8 generally illustrates an upper side perspective view of an embodiment of the headband.

FIG. 9 generally illustrates a side plan cross-section view of an individual wearing an embodiment of the headband.

FIG. 10 generally illustrates components of an embodiment of the headband.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, “memory foam” means a visco-elastic polyurethane foam, also known as low-resilience polyurethane foam.

As used herein, “inner” and “outer” are in reference to the wearer of the headband.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Before the present invention is described in further detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, because the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1-10 generally illustrate embodiments of a headband 10 for providing travel comfort. The headband 10 may enable a wearer of the headband 10 to have increased comfort during travel. For example, the headband 10 may enable the wearer to comfortably position their head against a surface of the vehicle, such as, for example, a vertical surface. As another example, the headband 10 may enable the wearer to cover one or both eyes and prevent light from reaching the eyes. As yet another example, the headband 10 may maintain the position of their head of the wearer against a surface of the vehicle by resisting movement of the head relative to the surface.

As shown in FIGS. 1-10, the headband 10 can have a top edge substantially parallel to a bottom edge. The headband 10 comprises a covering 11 that contains a compressible, resilient portion 12. In an embodiment, the compressible, resilient portion 12 can have a rectangular shape. The covering 11 can be a continuous strip of fabric forming an inner surface 21 and an outer surface 22 between which the compressible, resilient portion 12 is located. The inner surface 21 can contact the head of a wearer and/or encompass the head of a wearer such that the headband 10 encircles the head of the wearer. In an embodiment, a portion of the inner surface 21 covers one or both of the eyes of the wearer. The wearer may rest their head against a surface, such as, for example, a surface of a vehicle, so that a portion of the outer surface 22 contacts the surface and the compressible, resilient portion 12 is positioned between the head and the surface. The surface on which the head is rested is preferably a vertical surface. As a result, the wearer can comfortably rest their head against the surface and/or prevent light from reaching their eyes.

In a preferred embodiment, the resilient portion 12 is positioned in only a portion of the covering 11. For example, the wearer can wear the headband 10 so that the resilient portion 12 is located over the forehead only, and the remainder of the headband 10 is located about the rest of the circumference of the head without any of the resilient portion 12. As another example, the wearer can wear the headband 10 so that the resilient portion 12 is located over one side of the head only, and the remainder of the headband 10 is located about the rest of the circumference of the head without any of the resilient portion 12. As yet another example, the wearer can wear the headband 10 so that the resilient portion 12 is located over the back of the head only, and the remainder of the headband 10 is located about the rest of the circumference of the head without any of the resilient portion 12. The wearer can rotate the headband 10 between these positions so that the resilient portion 12 is located over a desired portion of the head. As a result, the wearer can adjust the headband 10 to accommodate different resting positions of the head.

The covering 11 can be made of one or more pieces of material. In a preferred embodiment, the covering 11 is made of at least one of polyester, viscose rayon or spandex. In an embodiment, the covering 11 consists of at least one of polyester, viscose rayon or spandex. The neoprene material can maintain a position of the headband 10 relative to the wearer's head and/or the surface on which the head is rested. For example, the neoprene inner surface 21 can provide friction that resists movement of the headband 11 relative to the wearer's head, and/or the neoprene outer surface 22 can provide friction that resists movement of the headband 11 relative the surface on which the head is rested.

Additionally or alternatively, the covering 11 includes cotton. Preferably the covering 11 is stretchable and/or flexible such that headband 10 can accommodate various head sizes. The covering 11 is not limited to a specific material, and the covering 11 can be made of any material known to the skilled artisan.

In an embodiment, the headband 10 may be one of a plurality of headbands, and the plurality of headbands may include two or more sizes. For example, the plurality of headbands may include headbands having a different radius. The plurality of headbands can have a headband sized appropriately for an adult and a headband sized appropriately for a child; Small, Medium, and Large sizes; or any other combination of different sizes known to the skilled artisan.

The compressible, resilient portion 12 can be a component contained within the covering 11. Alternatively or additionally, the compressible, resilient portion 12 can be affixed to the inner surface 21 and/or the outer surface 22 of the covering 11. In a preferred embodiment, the compressible, resilient portion 12 comprises a memory foam insert. In an embodiment, the compressible, resilient portion 12 consists of a memory foam insert. However, the compressible, resilient portion 12 can be made of any material that at least partially compresses under pressure and regains at least partially its original shape in response to removal of the pressure.

In embodiments, the compressible, resilient portion 12 is made of a material having an IFD rating of 10 and 120. In preferred embodiments, the compressible, resilient portion 12 is made of a material having an IFD rating between 12 and 16. As known to the skilled artisan, IFD measures the force (in pounds-force) required to make a dent 1 inch into a foam sample 15″×15″×4″ by an 8-inch-diameter (50 sq in) disc.

In embodiments, the compressible, resilient portion 12 is made of a material having a foam density of 5 pounds per cubic foot (80 kg/m3) or greater. In preferred embodiments, the compressible, resilient portion 12 is made of a material having a foam density of 1 to 5 lb/ft3 (16-80 kg/m3), and even more preferably 4 to 5 lb/ft3.

The headband 10 optionally comprises one or more pads 13. The one or more pads 13 can be located laterally adjacent to the compressible, resilient portion 12. As shown by FIGS. 1-5, the one or more pads 13 can be vertical strips of material, such as, for example, at least one of neoprene, foam or rubber. The one or more pads 13 can be die-cast. As shown by FIGS. 6-10, the one or more pads 13 can be a plurality of screen-printed pads, such as, for example, a plurality of screen-printed pads of non-skid ink e.g. rubber-based non-skid ink. The present invention is not limited to a specific material of the pads 13, and the pads 13 can be any material known to the skilled artisan.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-10, the one or more pads 13 can be affixed to the inner surface 21 and/or the outer surface 22. In embodiments that include the one or more pads 13 on the outer surface 22, the wearer may rest their head against a surface, such as, for example, a surface of a vehicle, so that the one or more pads 13 contact the surface and the compressible, resilient portion 12 is positioned between the head and the surface. The one or more pads 13 can maintain a position of the headband 10 relative to the wearer's head and/or the surface on which the head is rested. For example, the one or more pads 13 can provide friction that resists movement of the headband 11 relative to the wearer's head and/or the surface on which the head is rested. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more pads 13 are laterally aligned with the resilient portion 12 such that the one or more pads 13 and the resilient portion 12 are positioned on the same portion of the head of the wearer. For example, the one or more pads 13 can be affixed to the portion of the outer surface 22 that is over the resilient portion 12.

In some embodiments, the headband 10 consists of the compressible, resilient portion 12, the covering 11 and the one or more pads 13. For example, an embodiment of the headband 10 consists of the compressible, resilient portion 12, the covering 11 and, on the outer surface 22, the one or more pads 13.

An aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of obtaining rest including positioning a headband comprising a memory foam component on an individual's head such that a portion of the headband covers the eyes of the individual. The method can further comprise positioning the head against a surface such that the memory foam component is positioned between the head and the surface. In an embodiment, the surface on which the head is positioned is a surface of a vehicle. The vehicle can be a selected from the group consisting of automobile, train and plane.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of providing a comfortable environment to a passenger in a vehicle, the method including providing a headband comprising a memory foam component to a vehicle passenger in need of rest, the headband to be worn by the vehicle passenger. In an embodiment, the method includes the vehicle passenger in need of rest wearing the headband.

Thus, specific embodiments and aspects have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. 

1. A headband comprising a covering in which a memory foam insert is located.
 2. The headband of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises at least one of polyester, viscose rayon or spandex, and one or more pads are affixed to the covering.
 3. The headband of claim 1, wherein the cover consists of a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, viscose rayon, spandex and combinations thereof, and one or more pads are affixed to the covering.
 4. The headband of claim 1, wherein the memory foam insert has a foam density of 1 to 5 lb/ft3.
 5. The headband of claim 1, wherein the memory foam insert extends over only a portion of the circumference of the covering, the memory foam insert absent from the remainder of the circumference of the covering.
 6. A method comprising: positioning a headband comprising a memory foam component on an individual's head such that a portion of the headband covers the eyes of the individual; and positioning the headband against a surface such that the memory foam component is positioned between the head and the surface.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising: sleeping with the headband positioned against the surface such that the memory foam component is positioned between the head and the surface.
 8. (canceled)
 9. A headband consisting of: a covering having a top edge substantially parallel to a bottom edge; a compressible, resilient portion within the covering; and one or more pads affixed to the covering in a position laterally adjacent to the compressible, resilient portion. 